How much does a crane and tower operator make in Charleston?
$80,880a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $38.88 an hour or $6,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.88
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 167
- Jobs in the area
- 320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,990Median: $80,880Highest 10%: $97,340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,990 | $22.59 | |
| 25th | $60,140 | $28.91 | |
| Median | $80,880 | $38.88 | |
| 75th | $80,880 | $38.88 | |
| 90th | $97,340 | $46.80 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators.
| Columbia, SC | $65,870 |
| Charlotte, NC | $63,300 |
| Greenville, SC | $58,370 |
| Florence, SC | $48,100 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,200 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial Pilot | $119,000 |
| Ship Engineer | $98,450 |
| Captain | $91,000 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $63,440 |
| Sailor and Marine Oiler | $59,100 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $55,150 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,890 |
| Bus Driver | $46,460 |
| Bus Driver | $40,580 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $38.88 ($80,880 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in Charleston than the national average?
Yes: $80,880 against $68,080 nationally, 19% more.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $64,120, so Charleston pays 26% more.
Where does Charleston rank for crane and tower operator pay?
27 of 167 metro areas with data.
How much does a crane and tower operator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,990 or less a year; the top 10% make $97,340 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.